It is against the law not to have a gun...

GUNS AND GROWTH.

August 1, 1988

KENNESAW, GA. — GUNS AND GROWTH. It is against the law not to have a gun in the house in this town -- except for people convicted of a felony or mentally or physically disabled or conscientiously opposed. And for several years, police have reported a decline in house burglaries. But guns can't stop growth, police say, and growth brings crime. Police Chief Dwaine Wilson said that last year there were 39 house burglaries, or 4.3 for every 1,000 residents. ''The year before we had 3.8 per 1,000,'' he said. When the law was passed in 1982, the city had 4,000 residents. ''Now,'' he says, ''we've got nearly 10,000,'' and many work during the day. ''It's more convenient for burglars.'' Kennesaw is planning another way to fight crime: Neighborhood Watches.